II Kings 24, II Chronicles 36, Daniel 1
From Jeremiah's Journal
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| Photo courtesy |
Taking King Jehoiachin, all his officers, and all the smart, young men as prisoners wasn't enough for Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon
He also removed all the treasures from the temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and took away all the gold items Solomon, king of Israel, had made for the temple.
He took everything, the beautiful golden lamp stand, cups, basins, the golden table, the gold covering all the walls, the jewels, all the richness given as an offering to the Lord. He loaded it in the military chariots and wagons and hauled it to the temple of god in Babylonia.
Lost from us.
There were so many wagons full of gold, bronze, and silver hauled away with no care taken for their importance at all. These hand crafted temple items were crammed into every open space. The army's greed grew with each additional item they found. All that had once been given as an offering to God--now gone. Treated as mere metal.
The armies stayed for days removing all Nebuchadnezzar wanted.
The temple was a wreck. The beautiful place to come and worship God, in ruins.
Next he took into exile ten thousand men who were craftsmen, officers, and fighters from Jerusalem to put to work, leaving behind only the poorest people. Those that didn't have the strength to work or survive--left to find their own way in Jerusalem.
Nebuchadnezzar made Jehoiachin's uncle, Zedekiah, the king and made Zedekiah promise to obey him or suffer a great punishment. Of course, he agreed.
Because the kings of Judah would not lead the people to worship God, we suffered ruin, just as God said. The only thing we can do is pray for forgiveness that one day the great city of Jerusalem will be returned to us.
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1. What king came to Jerusalem to conquer the city?
2. What people did he take for prisoners?
3. What did he take from the temple?
4. Where did he take the temple things?
5. Who did he leave in the city?
6. Which prophet is a witness to this story?
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